APC sweeps Edo’s 18 LGAs as Okpebholo hails peaceful poll

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a clean sweep in the Edo State local government election, winning all 18 local government chairmanship seats in an exercise largely adjudged by observers as peaceful and orderly.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who voted at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School, in Esan Central Local Government Area, described the exercise as peaceful and commended the impressive turnout of voters across the state, saying it reflected the people’s commitment to grassroots democracy.

The election, conducted on Saturday, July 11, 2026, by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), was held across the state’s 18 local government areas to elect chairmen and councillors, with security agencies, accredited observers and journalists monitoring the exercise.

At his polling unit, where voting commenced early with electoral officials and security personnel on the ground, the governor arrived at about 10:24 a.m., joined other voters in the queue and cast his ballot at exactly 10:40 a.m.

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Speaking with journalists shortly after voting, Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with reports reaching him from across the state on the conduct of the election.

“This election is very peaceful, and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field.

“The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy. It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments. By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election,” he said.

The Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, said reports received from observer teams deployed across the state indicated that no major security breach or disruption was recorded during voting.

According to him, his organisation and other accredited observer groups monitored polling units in Udomi, Igueben and other locations, where electoral officials arrived on time and voters cast their ballots peacefully.

With the declaration of the results, the APC emerged victorious in all 18 local government areas, consolidating its control of grassroots governance in Edo State.

Photo caption: Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State casts his vote on Saturday during the state’s local government election.